National Association of Black Scuba Divers

What National Association of Black Scuba Divers does

The National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1991 by Ric Powell and Dr. A. Jose Jones to foster camaraderie and opportunity for Black individuals in the scuba diving community. NABS operates as the self-described largest organization of Black scuba divers in the world, structured around five regional club networks in the U.S. (Northeast, MidWest, Southern, Western) plus an International chapter. The organization sells annual memberships through an online portal (mp.gg) and runs an e-commerce merchandise store with approximately 14 product categories including apparel, swimwear, drinkware, accessories, luggage, and electronics accessories.

NABS generates revenue through four streams: recurring membership dues, one-time merchandise sales (price points from ~$6 for stickers to ~$75 for hooded sweatshirts), summit and event registration fees (notably the 2026 Costa Rica Summit and the Youth Summit), and tax-deductible donations processed via a memberplanet.com campaign page. The organization operates an Aqua Corps elite safety and leadership program, a Science & Education Committee offering classes at summits, and a NextGen (ages 21-40) initiative. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via its own website storefront and event-based sales, with a planned commercial push into the industry trade channel via a booth at DEMA Show 2026 in New Orleans. Member-benefit partnerships include discount arrangements with Stream2Sea (reef-safe sunscreen, 20% off) and Kay's Kreations (Black-owned custom gifts).

The underlying technology stack is a standard WordPress-based e-commerce website and an mp.gg membership enrollment portal. No proprietary software, mobile applications, APIs, or AI/ML components are indicated. Headcount is undisclosed; the mailing address is a PO Box in Washington, D.C., consistent with a small administrative operation. NABS has no disclosed investors, parent company, funding rounds, or M&A activity, consistent with its nonprofit status.

Name

National Association of Black Scuba Divers

Legal name

National Association of Black Scuba Divers

Website

https://nabsdivers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1991, that serves as the world's largest membership organization for Black scuba divers. It generates revenue from annual memberships, branded merchandise, summit registrations, and donations across five U.S. regions and an international chapter.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Scuba Diving Community Membership

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

Keywords

• Scuba diving community
• Diving membership organization
• Dive training programs
• Marine conservation advocacy
• Underwater education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NABS operates as a membership-based organization with annual membership fees providing access to community, training, and events.
2. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce store selling branded apparel, accessories, towels, swimwear, drinkware, and travel gear. Products include rashguards, beach towels, leggings, swim trunks, jackets, hats, gaiters, water bottles, and electronics cases.
3. Summit and Event Registration: Revenue generated from annual summits including the Costa Rica 2026 Summit and Youth Summit programs.
4. Donations: NABS accepts tax-deductible donations to support its mission and youth summit programs. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NABS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides a membership-based scuba diving community for Black divers worldwide. Its offerings include membership enrollment, an annual summit series (including a Costa Rica dive trip and Youth Summit), regional club chapters, Aqua Corps dive-readiness programming, science and education initiatives, youth development, marine conservation projects, and a branded merchandise storefront.

Product overview

National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) is the largest organization of Black scuba divers in the world, founded in 1991. The organization offers a membership program with access to training, travel, community events, youth development, and conservation programs. NABS operates an official merchandise store selling NABS-branded products including apparel (T-shirts, hoodies, pullovers, jackets, swimwear, leggings), accessories (hats, gaiters, bags, towels), drinkware (water bottles, mugs), electronic accessories (watch bands, phone cases, MacBook cases), and luggage items. The product portfolio spans multiple categories including General merchandise, Towels, Luggage, Electronic Accessories, Swimwear, Hoodies, T-Shirts, Leggings and Joggers, Hats and Gaiters, Flip Flops and Sandals, Backpacks and Totes, Water Bottles and Mugs, Windbreakers, Pullovers, and Accessories. NABS also organizes annual summits (including the 2026 Costa Rica Summit), maintains a network of regional clubs, operates the Aqua Corps elite safety program, and provides Science & Education programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NABS Membership Annual membership program for individual Black scuba divers providing access to community, regional clubs, training, summits, and member benefits.
• NABS Official Merchandise Store E-commerce storefront selling branded apparel and accessories (T-shirts, Hoodies, Swimwear, Drinkware, Beach Towels, Hats, Stickers) to members and supporters of the Black scuba diving community.
• NABS Summits and Events Annual dive travel and community summits (including the Costa Rica Summit and Youth Summit) providing members with dive trips, networking, and youth-focused programming.
• NABS Aqua Corps Dive-readiness and safety program supporting NABS members with training and preparation for safe scuba diving.
• NABS Science and Education Programs Science and education programming for members covering marine science, underwater knowledge, and learning pathways for divers.
• NABS Regional Clubs Network Regional club chapters across Northeast, MidWest, Southern, Western, and International geographies providing local community engagement and events for NABS members.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Stream2SeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStream2Sea is an environmentally safe and sustainable sunscreen and skincare company. NABS members receive a 20% discount using the code NABS on stream2sea.com, supporting ocean and reef protection.
• Kay's KreationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKay's Kreations is a Black-owned business specializing in personalized, handcrafted gifts including monogrammed gaiters, personalized cups, wireless chargers, and custom NABS Summit merchandise.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Outdoor Afro: Outdoor Afro is a nonprofit connecting Black communities to outdoor recreation including water-based activities. Comparable to NABS in mission focus on increasing Black participation in outdoor/adventure activities, but operates across multiple sports rather than specializing in diving.
• Color of Change Outdoors: Color of Change and adjacent advocacy groups address representation in outdoor spaces, including diving. Adjacent to NABS's mission of increasing Black representation in diving, though focused on broader civil rights advocacy rather than sport-specific programming.

Broad incumbents

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): PADI is the world's largest scuba diving certification and membership organization. Comparable to NABS as a membership-driven scuba community organization, but operating as a broad incumbent serving all divers globally rather than a specific demographic niche.
• SSI (Scuba Schools International): SSI is a major global scuba training and membership organization with millions of certified divers. Comparable to NABS in offering membership, training, and community programs around scuba diving, but serving the broad diving population rather than a specific demographic.
• National Ocean Protection Coalition (informal networks): Ocean Conservancy and similar organizations operate marine conservation programming where diver networks are central. Adjacent to NABS through shared focus on ocean protection and use of community-driven diver engagement, though not a direct diving-membership competitor.

Direct peers

• Diveheart: Diveheart is a nonprofit organization that uses scuba diving for therapy, adaptive diving, and community-building. Comparable to NABS in being a mission-driven diving nonprofit with community programs and training focus, though focused on adaptive/therapeutic diving.
• NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors): NAUI is a nonprofit scuba diving training and member association in the US. Highly comparable to NABS as a membership-based nonprofit diving association offering training, regional chapters, and community programming, though serving all divers rather than focused on a specific demographic.
• Black Girls Dive Foundation: Black Girls Dive Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on introducing Black women and girls to scuba diving through education and community. Highly comparable to NABS as a Black-focused diving nonprofit, though with a narrower gender-focused mission.
• BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club): BSAC is a long-established membership-based scuba diving organization. Comparable to NABS in operating as a club-based, member-supported diving association with regional structure and training focus, though based in the UK rather than US-focused.

Others

• International Diving Center (regional scuba clubs): DEMA (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) is the major industry trade body where NABS exhibits. Industry ecosystem peer rather than direct competitor, providing the trade show and supplier network that connects NABS to the broader commercial diving industry.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NABSDIVERS1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmjCnHP62un3HU-jDakhduA
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/www.nabsdivers.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialnabsdivers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Association of Black Scuba Divers